Cabaye Must Produce 'Perfect Game' !

Yohan Cabaye is ready to face Spain and Manchester City. Cabaye missed the club's last game with a groin problem.

And there were fears the influential midfielder was facing another long spell on the sidelines, having undergone abdominal surgery late last year.

However, Cabaye has shrugged off the problem he suffered against Anzhi Makhachkala – and is expected to start for France against European and world champions Spain at the Stade de France in Paris tonight.

Should Cabaye come through the World Cup qualifier unscathed, he would be in line to face Premier League champions Manchester City on Saturday.

That would be a significant lift for Pardew, who has a number of injury concerns.

The 27-year-old missed the Wigan game, but was allowed to join up with his international colleagues.

France coach Didier Deschamps chose not to play him against Georgia at the weekend as he is one yellow card away from a suspension.

Deschamps is not letting Spain's surprise slip-up against Finland lull him into a false sense of security ahead of the crunch World Cup qualifier between the two, warning his players they are still facing the best team in the world. Deschamps also believes his side will need to play a "perfect" match if they are to defeat the reigning world and European champions and take a huge step towards securing automatic qualification for next year's World Cup finals.

Les Bleus head into the clash at the Stade de France holding a two-point lead over the Spanish at the top of Group I after receiving an unexpected boost from Finland on Friday night.

While France were beating Georgia 3-1, Spain were being held 1-1 at home by the last-placed Finns - Teemu Pukki's 79th-minute equaliser cancelling out Sergio Ramos' goal in Gijon.

Deschamps: "Yes, it was a great surprise. I saw the game and Spain deserved to win. Nevertheless this result changes nothing. Spain are still the best team in the world. They were before, they are now and they will be after tomorrow's match.

"There's been no change in my intentions, nor in Spain's.

"They will come to have control of the ball and to win the game.

"We have to have a great game against the best team in the world. Their draw against Finland was incredibly bad luck, looking at the chances they had.